November 11, 2009 @ 6:00 PM

In this year's triplet event, the standards for the handstand pushups were more challenging than many competitors practiced. The grip was a fixed width parallette, and the head dropped below the height of the hands. Kipping was not allowed.

Jeff Tucker of GSX Athletics and CrossFit's gymnastics specialist talked about differences from typical gymnastics movements. "Normally in gymnastics, a measurement is from between the fingertip to the elbow. A little outside the width of the athletes chest... this (30 inch) stance on the parrallettes is gonna make it really hard, a lot of people are gonna have a hard time with this."

Was the grip too wide? "I think the proof will be in the pudding," said Jeff, "I don't want to be subjective." The event did claim its victims. Of the top 16 female athletes four women failed to complete a single HSPU to standard.

After the triplet, Tommy Hackenbruck spoke from an athletes view point. He regretted not holding more strict standards in his training. His performance wasn't what he thought it should be under the competition standards.

In this video from Sevan Matossian, Ryan Lucas takes us on a tour of the "Geek Room." In this one little room in the corner of the Shop on site in Aromas, all the scoring, Games site reporting, Journal reporting, photo archiving, CrossFit Radio, and systems support took place. Power was in high demand, and the UPSs were being heavily worked whenever the breakers got switched. No mainstream broadband was available at the Games site (DSL, cable, microwave), so all web updates had to be done via EVDO (Verizon and AT&T cards).

Ryan is CrossFit's Creative Director, the man responsible for the look of this Games site and the Journal site, as well as the 09 Program and most of the graphics seen around the Games site. Ron Wilhelm (conspicuously absent from the video) ran the scoring with James Hollingsworth. Daniel Freedman, Mike Warkentin and Paul Szoldra were responsible for the Games site updates, all the Journal articles, and getting content for all the CrossFit Radio Games episodes. Bill McGair was the glue behind the local networks and all the systems, including fixing the Games site when 60,000 unique visitors hit the site at once on Saturday.

All in all a tremendous performance by the guys behind the scenes. Thank you!

August 8, 2009 @ 5:25 AM

CrossFit By Overload created this feel of the weekend video. Three days of competition, camaraderie and community. And did we mention beer?

Pictured is Nicole Gordon from CrossFit Hampton Roads next to Libby DiBiase from CrossFit Omaha. This is during the Event 5 Couplet of 3 rounds of 30 wallball and 30 squat snatches. Nicole had just returned from the Emergency Room to compete in this event. She smashed two of her fingers on the stake drive in Event 4, finishing the event in spite of the blood. When X-rays revealed no fracture, she and her husband Jeremy raced back to make her heat.

Judging Nicole is Kurtis Bowler from Rainier CrossFit, and judging Libby is Dave Werner from CrossFit Seattle. The picture was taken by Thomas Campitelli from CrossFit Oakland, who took a fork lift up to the roof of the Shop for a unique perspective.

July 31, 2009 @ 2:00 PM

In a spontaneous moment of inspiration, top Games competitor Jeremy Thiel from CrossFit Central wrote the following letter to all the 09 male competitors. He agreed to let us post it here.

I was running today and so many different CrossFit athletes keep popping into my head. I wanted to thank each and every one of you for an amazing weekend in Aromas. As cheesy as it sounds that weekend changed my life. I have never been a soldier or seen war but this was as close emotional mentally and physically I have ever been. The games started out as a fun event I planned to do well in.

After the first two events things quickly changed. I think Dave used some Navy SEAL mind-screw on us. It was suppose to be a good thing that you finished first or in the top but to me it quickly turned into a bad thing. I couldn't eat protein. I didn't know when to get pumped up or just sit there and relax. The athletes area was a concrete floor with nowhere to escape or hide.

July 22, 2009 @ 6:00 PM

Thirty-two men and women made it to Day 2 of the CrossFit Games. Mike Warkentin of the CrossFit Journal takes a closer look at these elite athletes and how they got to Aromas.

The CrossFit Games champions have been crowned, and you'll be hearing a lot about Tanya Wagner and Mikko Salo over the next year.

A host of other elite athletes turned in similarly outstanding performances at the Games, perhaps setting themselves up for a run at the title next year. What follows is a closer look at the top 16 male and female competitors who distinguished themselves at The Ranch.

July 20, 2009 @ 5:00 PM

The CrossFit Games produced a host of great stories. Mike Warkentin tracked down a few that you might not know about, and wrote about them in the CrossFit Journal.

Over the course of the CrossFit Games, media teams took 100,000 photos and recorded hours of video footage. But the camera doesn't always catch everything. Sights of the Games is a compilation of some of the best behind-the-scenes moments from three days of total fitness chaos.

Which CrossFit celebrities were on hand to witness the Games?

How did Tommy Hackenbruck and Michael (Bro-PT) FitzGerald manage to wield the sledgehammer with such skill?

Which competitor tried to compete with surgically repaired foot?

Who learned new movements only minutes before performing them during WODs?

Which second-place finisher from a previous Games competition led an Affiliate Cup team to the top five?

Why would Carmen Electra find CrossFit Bogota in Colombia to her liking?

July 8, 2009 @ 7:30 AM

If you are taking any medications, please don't forget to bring them with you on your trip to the Games. There are a few pharmacies in the general area, but they are not all close to the Ranch property.

For spectators, with hot days and lots of activity going on, you may run the risk of exposure. Please make sure you're all hydrating well, and using adequate sun protection. And don't forget clothing for the cool evenings.

If you use or may need an inhaler, please keep it accessible or let someone with you know where it is while you're in the area.

Athletes, bring tape for your hands and/or any special orthopedic support that you may need.

Our medical volunteers will be able to provide initial assessment and basic first aid support for you at the event and will direct contact with local public safety personnel should anything more serious occur.

July 6, 2009 @ 2:25 PM

Don't be fooled by the sunny pictures from last year's Games. Aromas in the mornings and evenings can be cold. Even on the hottest days, the temperature drops dramatically with the sun.

Layers are key in Central CA. Pack them. Also, sunscreen. Change of clothes. A source of shade if you can. There will be food and drink on hand, but it's a good idea to bring a cooler with some necessities. There are no stores or markets close by, so be prepared.

John is known as the Greatest Arm Wrestler of All Time, and has been professionally armwrestling for over 30 years. He won his first World Title at 18, and continued to dominate the sport throughout his life. He is the feature of our own Sevan Matossian's award winning movie Pulling John, which will be shown on the Jumbotron Friday night at the Games!

Both Travis Bagent and John Brzenk will armwrestle any and all who wish to challenge them. Yes, they're prepared to armwrestle hundreds of CrossFitters a day, and the cocky bastards aren't expecting to lose!

June 16, 2009 @ 2:00 PM

The 2009 CrossFit Games are soon upon us. If you are among the many amazing competitors or lucky folks who are coming out to watch the action, here's the info that you need to know and where to be:

Spectator Event Fees:
3 Day Pass (Purchased in advance online) - $30
3 Day Pass (Purchased at the event) - $60
1 Day Pass (Purchased at the event) - $20 per day
Children 13 years and younger attend for free.

Parking will now be available on site.

Travel:
The Games site is located at:
275 Dunbarton Rd
Aromas , CA 95004

The closest airports to the Ranch are San Jose International (SJC), which is 50 miles, or Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY), which is 25 miles.

If you are traveling by vehicle, you can get driving directions via Google Maps.

Lodging:
There are a number of different hotels and motels in and around the area. Approximate distances from the CrossFit Games site in Aromas are:
Gilroy - 16 miles
Marina - 17 miles
Salinas - 13 miles